Sprinkler heads having valves actuated by separate pressure lines



March 14, 1967 c. v. ZlEG ETAL 3,309,028

SPRINKLER HEADS HAVING VALVES ACTUATED BY SEPARATE PRESSURE LINES Filed July 51, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet l M ,4 36 Ez .1. q

INVENTORS Clifford VZieg BY M ATTORNEYS March 14, 1967 c. v. ZIEG ET AL SPRINKLER HEADS HAVING VALVES ACTUATED BY SEPARATE PRESSURE LINES Filed July 51, 1964 M" In,

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTORS lffbrtl VZiqg ADOBE/E7 a. F/AE BY m ATTORNEYS March 14, 1967 c, v. ZIEG ETAL 3,309,028

SPRINKLER HEADS HAVING VALVES ACTUATED BY SEPARATE PRESSURE LINES Filed'July 51, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ROBE/Q7 61 F/KE BY m ATTORNEYS March 14, 1967 c. v. ZIEG ETAL SPRINKLER HEADS HAVING VALVES ACTUATED BY SEPARATE PRESSURE LINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 31, 1964 v INVENTORS (*Zz'ffbrd V Zz'eg %awuf ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofliice 3,309,023 Patented Mar, 14, 1967 3,309,028 SPRINKLER HEADS HAVHNG VALVES ACTUATED BY SEPARATE PRESSURE LINES Ciifiord V. Zieg, Costa Mesa, (Ialifl, and Robert G. Fike, Fairfax, Va., assignors to Donald G. Griswold, Corona Del Mar, Calif.

Filed duly 31, 1964, Ser. No. 386,509 19 Claims. (Cl. 239-498) This invention relates generally to sprinkler heads for use in automatic fire extinguishing systems, greenhouses, bathhouses, and the like, and especially to sprinkler heads of the type which, when installed, are continuously in communication with a pressurized source of water.

More particularly, the invention relates to a fluid pressure operated sprinkler head designed to remain securely closed until operation thereof is desired, and which sprinkler head can be provided with one of several types of stems and deflectors designed to provide a uniform distribution of the discharging fluid in a completely atomized state, or as a heavy vapor, when said head is open.

Sprinkler heads of the type to which this invention relates are employed in automatic fire extinguishing systems which commonly include a plurality of water supply pipes installed according to a preselected pattern within the area to be protected, and which are continuously in communication with water under pressure. At intervals within the protected area, chosen so that the entire area can be adequately sprinkled when necessary, sprinkler heads are connected to the water supply pipes. The sprinkler heads are normally closed, and are arranged to be automatically opened to dispense water for extinguishing, controlling or preventing fires within the protected area.

The present sprinkler head structures are intended primarily for use with a wet sprinkler system, that is, a systern in which the supply lines to the sprinkler heads are continuously filled with water. However, they can also be utilized with dry systems, such as those wherein the piping between a control valve and the sprinkler heads is dry and water is supplied to the piping and sprinkler heads only when it is desired to have the sprinklers operate.

The instant sprinkler heads each include a piston which is operated by hydraulic pressure in a control system that includes a pressuresupply conduit connected to the sprinkler head and supplied with pressurized operating fluid from a suitable source. The sprinkler heads also include a valve seat having an opening communicating with the water supply line, the piston being movable between a sprinkler CLOSED position, in which it engages and closes off flow through the valve seat opening, to a sprinkler OPEN position, wherein the valve seat opening is unobstructed to allow flow therethrough.

The present sprinkler heads are further designed so that no flow therefrom can occur so long as the pressure of the operating fluid is sufficient to hold the piston in engagement with the valve seat. When it is desired to operate any of the sprinkler heads to distribute water over the controlled area, the pressure Within the operating fluid supply conduit is relieved, whereupon the pressure of the water in the sprinkler head inlet acts on the piston to move it to a sprinkler OPEN position so that the water can flow through and discharge from the sprinkler head. The operating fluid pressure in the piston control system can be relieved automatically, as by a suitable thermostatcontrolled valve means operable in response to a preselected temperature in the case of a fire protected area, or the control system can be operated manually from a remote central point, or by any other suitable means.

The present sprinkler head means is provided with a deflector which is effective for insuring uniform distribution of the discharging liquid over the controlled area. The deflector includes a plate, which is positioned to receive flow directly from the valve seat opening when the piston is in a sprinkler OPEN position; the sprinkler head being designed so that said flow impinges uniformly on the deflector plate. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the deflector plate is positioned below the sprinkler head body, and the latter has an annular flow passage that terminates in a nozzle section that accelerates the discharging liquid and directs it at high velocity toward the deflector plate. In another embodiment of the invention, the deflector plate is mounted in an intermediate location longitudinally of the sprinkler head assembly; means being provided to insure that water flowing through the valve seat opening will impinge uniformly thereon.

If, in a sprinkler head of the present type, the operating fluid pressure system which holds the piston in a sprinkler CLOSED position, should inadvertently contain entrapped air, then under severe conditions of shock, surge or vibration in the water supply line, it would be possible for the piston to momentarily be forced to a sprinkler OPEN position, thus releasing a quantity of water through the sprinkler head. Such inadvertent release of Water is, in many installations, undesirable. In order to avoid this, the instant sprinkler head is provided with a unique bleed valve arrangement, which is designed to enable entrapped air to be removed from the operating fluid control system during pressurization thereof; thus, inadvertent opening of the sprinkler head due to a peculiar combination of entrapped air in the control system and severe shock or surges in the water supply line, is prevented.

While the present sprinkler heads are especially useful in fire protection systems, their utility is not limited to such application. For example, the instant sprinkler heads are also suitable for use in greenhouses, bathhouses, and the like, for humidifying and/ or watering vegetation. One embodiment of the invention is especially constructed for this latter use, and incorporates a stem and deflector assembly designed to completely atomize the water dispensed from the sprinkler head.

The present sprinkler heads are designed to provide substantially uniform Water distribution over the protected or watered area, as has been borne out by actual tests. Such uniform distribution is important to insure that all points within the distribution area receive a substantially equal and adequate amount of water, and that no localized area becomes over-saturated. The watering of vegetation especially requires such uniform distribution of water, as over-saturation can frequently be quite harmful to certain plants.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a sprinkler head, including a fluid pressure operated flow-controlling piston, or valve element, that will provide reliable operation and substantially uniform distribution of the water discharging from the sprinkler head.

Another object is to provide a fluid ressure controlled sprinkler head, including means for removing entrapped air from the fluid pressure control system.

A further object is to provide liquid deflecting means for a sprinkler head that will cooperate with other comof the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the present sprinkler head shown installed in a water supply line;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the sprinkler head, taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view through the sprinkler head, taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the.

line 44 ofFIG. 3, showing in particular the configuration of the deflector plate;

FIG. 5 is ,a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3, showing the construction of the valve body and air bleed valve;

FIG. 6 is ,a vertical sectional view through a sprinkler in that it has a modified stem and deflector assembly;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of another design of sprinkler head shown connected in a supply pipe;

FIG. 8 is a. horizontal sectional view through the sprinkler head,;taken on the line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view through the sprinkler head, taken on the line 9--9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a horizontal sectional view through the sprinkler head, taken on the line 1010 of FIG.'9, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional viewthrough'the valve seatassembly of FIG. 9; 7

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of another design of sprinkler headshown connected in'a supply pipe;

FIG. 13 is a horizontal sectional view through the: sprinkler head, taken on the line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged, vertical sectional View through the sprinkler head, taken on the line. 14-44 of FIG. 13; FIG. 15 is a horizontal sectional view through the sprinkler head, taken on the line 15-15 of FIG. 14,-

looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 16 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional View, taken on the line 16-16 of FIG. 13, showing in particular the manner in which the end of one of the strut elements is connected to a portion of the sprinkler head body.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawings, one preferred embodiment of the sprinkler head is indicated generally at 2, and shown connected by a nipple 4 to the leg ofa pipe-T 6. The pipe-T 6 is connected in a Water supply pipe 8, which supplies water to the sprinkler head. 2. It is to be. understood that while but one sprinkler head 2 is shown in thedrawings, a plurality thereof would be employed in a conventional sprinkler system.

The sprinkler head 2 is in continuous communication with a source of water through the supply pipe 8, and includes a fluid pressure-operated, flow-controlling piston or valve element 10, which is normally maintained in a sprinkler CLOSED position by operating fluid conducted. under pressure to the sprinkler head through a conduit 12. When it is desired to make the sprinkler head 2 operational, pressure is relieved in, or exhausted from the conduit 12, whereupon the piston element 10 will be moved to 'a sprinkler OPEN position by line pressure, all of'which is more fully explained hereinafter, thus allowing water from. the supply pipe 8 to flow through said head.

The pressure supply conduit 12 is connected to a suit- 7 able source of operating liquid under pressure, and also '25 headsimilar to that of FIG. 3, but differing therefrom to suitable valve means (not shown) for relievingthat.

pressure, as will. be readily understood. The latter can comprise a temperature-responsive valve disposed within the area to be protected. against fire by the. sprinkler head 2, or it can comprise a conventional valve operated adapter 16 has screw threads 20 on the upper end portion thereof, and is connected to the lower end of the nipple 4 by a screw thimble 22. 'Iheadapter 16 also has an axial inlet 24, andfurther includes an upper .end face 26 having a frusto-conical socket 28 that surrounds the upper end of the inlet 24.

The nipple 4 has a flange 30 at the lower end thereof,

and includes a frusto-conical boss portion 32 received within the socket 28. A gasket 34 is interposed between the lower side of the flange. 30 and the end face 26. The upper face of the flange 30 is engaged by the flange 36 of the screw thimble 22, which is threaded onto the screw threads 20 to detachably secure the sprinkler head 2 .to the nipple 4. r

The lower end of the adapter 16 has a flange 38 containing a cylindrical socket 40 in the lower face thereof. The main body 18 includes ahollow cylindrical portion 19 having an annular rim 42 on the upper end thereof, which is received in the socket 40. The adapter:16 and body 18 are secured together, by capscrews 44 andlock washers 46,.the screws 44 passing through openingsin the flange 38, and being received in threaded bores 48 in an upper radial flange 50 on the cylindrical portion 19.

The main body 18 is provided at its upperend with is defined by a cylindrical central portion 56, which is merged with the inlet. 52 by an upwardly converging,

rounded, transitional-portionSS, and a downwardly converging or tapering 'frusto-conical portion 60 that extends from thecentral portion56 to the outlet throat 54. The frusto-conical portion 6t) will typically taper at an angle E to the vertical of about 20 degrees.

Within and integral with the main body portion :18 is an inner body 62 including a cylindrical section 64 disposedrconcentrically within and in spaced relation to the cylindrical wall portion 56, and a downwardly tapering, frusto-couical portion 66 that extends parallel to the wall 60, and which defines therewith a downwardly converging annularflow space. The inner body 62. is supported by a pair of diametrically-aligned bosses 68 and 70,,and by a web 72 integral with the boss 68 and disposed normal to the. axis thereof, as is best seen in FIG. 5.

The inner body 62 has an end face 74 that is spaced axially inwardly from the adapter .16 and includes an axially extending control chamber 76 formed by an axial bore 78 and a counterbore 80 aligned with the inlet 24.

The upper end of the counterbore 80 lies within the cylindrical section-64 and is chamfered at 82, and the external,

of the inlet 24jin the adapter 16 has a frusto-conical valve I seat 96; which is tapered at an includedangle A of about degrees. The head'94 is generally cylindrical, and includes a frusto-conical seating surface 98 ion the upper end thereof, which tapers at an included angle identical to the angle A of the valve seat 96.: The seating surface 98 is provided centrally thereof with a rectangular groove 100 having side walls projecting inwardly from and normal to said seating surface. A resilient O-ring 102 is disposed in the groove 100. The piston is movable in the control chamber 76 to seat the surface 98 and O-ring 192 on the valve seat 96 to close 011 flow into the inlet 24 from the supply pipe 8.

The body 92 of the piston 10 is provided about midway of its length with a circumferential groove 104, within which is disposed an O-ring 166 that is arranged to sealingly engage the inner surface of the counterbore 80. The piston 10 is movable in the control chamber 76 from a sprinkler OPEN position, wherein the piston is retracted to the dot-and-dash line position, indicated in FIG. 3, to a sprinkler CLOSED position, wherein the surface 98 and the O-ring 102 are in sealing engagement with the frusto-conical valve seat 96, as shown in full lines in said FIG. 3. The lengths of the counterbore 80 and of the cylindrical body 92 of the piston 10 are proportioned so that when the piston 10 is in a sprinkler OPEN position, the lower face 108 of the head 94 will engage the upper end face 74 of the inner body 62.

The piston 10 is moved from its sprinkler OPEN position to its sprinkler CLOSED position 'by operating fluid under pressure supplied to the control chamber 76 through the supply conduit 12. When the pressure within the control chamber 76 is sufficiently greater than the water pressure within the inlet 24, it will be seen that the piston 10 will be positively held in a sprinkler CLOSED position. Similarly, it is readily apparent that when pressure within the chamber 76 is relieved sufliciently, the pressure of the water in the inlet 24 supplied from the pipe 8 will move the piston 10 to its sprinkler OPEN position.

In FIG. 3, the area of the piston 10 within the control chamber 76 exposed to operating fluid is about the same as the area of said piston that is exposed to water pressure within the inlet 24 when the head 94 of the piston is in engagement with the valve seat 96. Under these conditions, it is apparent that the operating fluid pressure in the control chamber 76 must exceed the pressure of the liquid in the inlet 24 in order for the piston 10 to remain in its sprinkler CLOSED position. It will be understood that the ratio of the piston area exposed to inlet pressure, relative to the piston area exposed to the pre 'ure of the operating fluid, can be varied, whereby any desirable ratio can be obtained.

Under normal conditions, the piston 10 can usually be held in its sprinkler CLOSED position even in the presence of an air pocket in the control chamber 76, or in the conduit 12, or in some other portion of the control system. However, when the sprinkler head 2 is utilized in an environment where severe conditions of shock, surge, or vibration are present in the supply pipe 8, an air pocket or pockets in the operating fluid may result in inadvertent movement of the piston 11 away from its sprinkler CLOSED position, and permit flow of water through the sprinkler head 2. This condition can be avoided by bleeding all air from the pressure control system, and the sprinkler head of FIGS. 1 to 5 is provided with a bleed valve assembly 109 for this purpose.

The inner body 6-2 has a bleed port 1111 extending outwardly from the chamber 76 and positioned to confront a larger bore 112 in the boss 68. A frusto-conical seat 114 surrounds the outer end of the port 111) and lies inwardly of the bore 112. The main body 18 has a recess 116 in the region of the web 72, and a bleed port 118 extends transversely through the wall of the boss 63, separating the bore 112 from said recess, and communicates with the bore 112 at a point spaced outwardly a short distance from the frusto-conical seat 114.

A ball valve 121 is received within the inner, unthreaded end of the bore 112, and is engagea-ble with the valve seat 114 to close the bleed port 110 in the inner body 62. The

outer end of the bore 112 is threaded, and an Allen screw 122 is received therein. By threading the screw 122 inwardly, the ball 120 can be securely held against the frusto-conical seat 114, or by threading the screw 122 outwardly said ball can be freed to move axially away from the seat 114 a distance suflicient to establish a flow path from the control chamber 76 through the port and bore 112 to the bleed port 118'.

To effect bleeding of air from the piston control system, the screw 122 is first threaded outwardly to free the ball valve 126 for movement. Operating fluid (liquid) is then supplied through the conduit 12 to the control chamber 76. As the fluid moves into the control chamber 76-, it will push the air initially contained within the conduit 12 and the chamber 76 outwardly through the bleed port 116, bore 112 and bleed port 118. When the air has been completely exhausted from the line 12 and the chamber '76, the operating fluid itself will begin to flow from the bleed port 118. The screw 122 is then threaded inwardly to seat the ball on the seat 114, thus closing the bleed valve 109'.

' The inner body 62, as described hereina bove, is supported concentrically within the hollow main :body 18 so as to define therebetween a substantially continuous annular flow channel 124 that extends from the valve seat 96 to the nozzle or outlet throat 54. When the piston 10 is in a sprinkler OPEN position, water from the supply pipe 8 can flow from the inlet 24, through the valve seat 96, through the annular flow channel 124, and thence outwardly through the throat 54. The sprinkler head 2 has a liquid deflector assembly 126, which functions to distribute or spray the exiting water according to a desired pattern, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

The deflector assembly 126 includes a deflector plate 128, which is supported exteriorly of the valve housing 14 by a spacer element 136 and a bolt 132. The bolt 13 2 passes through aiigned openings 134 and 136: in the deflector plate 128 and in the spacer 130, respectively, and into a threaded bore 138 in the lower end face 140 of the conical end 66 of the inner body 62. A lock washer 142 is positioned between the head of the bolt 132 and the deflector plate 128.

The spacer element 130 includes upper and lower flat end faces 144 and 146, respectively, the upper face 144 having a diameter identical to that of the lower end face 149 of the inner body 62; thus, the spacer 136 constitutes a continuation of said inner body. The external surface of the spacer element 130 comprises a first, slightly tapered frusto-conical portion 148, and a terminal, larger, more sharply tapered frusto-conical portion 150. The portion 148 will typically taper at an angle D to the vertical of about 10 degrees, and the portion 150 will typically taper at an angle C of about 21 degrees to the vertical. Furthermore, the axial length of the tapered portion 148 is about twice that of the tapered portion 150. The tapered portion 148 also extends completely through and outwardly beyond the exit or nozzle opening 54.

The deflector plate 128 is best shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, and is initially a flat circular disk. Radial slots 152 are cut in the periphery of the plate 128, and extend to a depth such that the inner ends thereof lie on the periphery of a common circle, or circular flat portion 155, which has a diameter slightly larger that that of the lower end face 146 of the spacer 130. Preferably, twelve radial slots 152 are employed, whereby the marginal portion of the deflector plate 128 is divided into twelve equally spaced deflector vanes 154. The vanes 154 are bent out of the plane containing the central portion 155 of the disk 128, and downwardly and away from the main body portion 14 of the sprinkler head 2 to extend at an angle B to the horizontal of about 12 degrees.

The design of the deflector assembly 126 and the discharge end of the housing 14 of the sprinkler head 2 is such as to provide a constriction that will insure that water issuing from the nozzle throat 54 will have a velocity sufiiciently high that thorough atomizing will be effected when the liquid impinges upon and is diverted by the faces 148 and 150 of the stem or spacer element 130 combine .to define a nozzle for accelerating the velocity of the water issuing from the sprinkler head 2. This acceleration enhancesatomizing of the water as it strikes the deflector plate 128, and thus helps to insure fairly even distribution of dispensed liquid.

Another preferred design of sprinkler head is shown at 2' in FIG. 6', wherein parts identical to like parts of the sprinkler head 2 are identified by like numerals. The sprinkler head 2' includes a main body 18', which is identical to the body 18 except that it has a greater axial length. Also the frusto-conical surface 60 in FIG. 6

extends downwardly farther than does the like surface 60 in FIG. 3, so that the dimeter of the cylindrical throat 54relative to the lower face 140 of the inner body 62 will be smaller than the corresponding diameter of the throat 54.

The sprinkler head 2 has a modified deflector assembly 126, which includes a differently designed spacer element or stem 130. The stem 130' is integral, and terminates at itsupper end in a threaded portion 131 received in a threaded bore 138' provided in the lower face 140. of the inner body 62. Immediately below the threaded portion 131 is an upper, or inner, frusto-conical portion 133,-which tapers outwardly from a radial end face 135 at an angle identical to the angle of taper of the surface 66; the upper end of thefrusto-conical portion 133 adjoins a cylindrical portion137, and has a diameter slightly less than that of the lower end face 140 of the inner body 62. However, the portion 137 could form a tapered continuation of the portion 133, if desired.

The portion 133 merges at its lower end into a cylindrical portion139 that extends through and beyond the lower end of the cylindrical throat 54, and terminates in alower, or outer, frusto-conical portion 141, which tapers outwardly at an angle of about The stem 136 terminates at its lower end in a reduced-diameter cylindrical portion 143, having a conical recess 145 in the end thereof.

Mounted on the cylindrical portion 143 of stem 130 is a deflector plate 128', identical to the plate 128 except that the unslotted central portion 155 has a smaller diameter than the like, portion 155 of the plate 128. ,The periphery of the plate 128' has radial slots 152' therein, which define vanes 154'. The lower end face 147 of the portion 141 has a diameter slightly less than that of the plate portion 155', and the plate 128 is secured to the stem 139 .by first passing the stern portion 143 through the opening 134 in said plate, and then peening over the lower edge of the portion opening. The sprinkler head 2 functions in a manner similar to the sprinkler head 2, and will deliver a heavy vapor over the controlled area.

Referring to FIGS. 7 to 11, another design'of sprinkler headis indicated generally at 158, and is connected to the stem of a pipe-T 161 by a nipple 162. The pipe-T 160, like the pipe-T 6, is connected in a water supply line 8.

The sprinkler head 158. includes a housing 164, comprising an adapter 16%, which includes a cylindrical body 16-8 having external threads 1711 thereon. The adapter 168 terminates at its lower end .in flange 172 having threads ,174 on the periphery thereof, and is connected to ring 176 having a threaded counter-bore 178 in the upper end thereof for receiving the flange 172.

143 to overlie the edge of said The adapter 168 has an axial inlet opening 180', the upper end of which is rounded, as at 132. The nipple 162 has a flange 184 on the lower end thereof, and includes a frusto-conical boss 185, which is received within thev by a plurality of axially extending circumferentially spaced struts 198, is a body portion 200, which'includes a control chamber 202 positioned ,to confront the inlet 186. The body portion 200 has at the lower end thereof a transverse inlet bore 204, terminating at'its outer end in a threaded counterbore 206' for receiving the threaded end of an operating fluid supply and exhaust conduit 20-8. A port 210 connects the inlet204 with the control chamber 202.v The upper end of the control chamber 202 is chamfered at 212.

Received within the control chamber 202 is the lower, enlarged cylindrical portion 214 of a piston 216, which has a groove 21% therein for receiving an O-ring 220. Projecting upwardly from the portion 214 of the piston 216 I is a reduced diameter portion 222, ,which terminates in a fiat upper end.

The inlet 180 has at it lower end a ,counterbore 226, which, in turn, is surrounded by a larger counterbore 228. Received within the counterbore 228 is a valve seat 230',

comprising a metal ring 232, which is staked within said valve seat against which the head 224 of the, piston 216.

can sealirigly engage.

Also mounted on the upper end of the piston 216 is a deflector assembly 242, which includesa deflector plate 244. The head 224 of the piston 216 includes a conical portion-246, from which depends a threaded stud 248;.

The stud 24S passes through a central opening 250.111 the deflector plate 244, and is received within a threaded bore 252 in the upper end face of the piston 222, The deflector plate 244 is. circular, and the periphery thereof has a plurality of radial, evenly spaced slots 254 that extend to the head 224. of the piston 216, and divide the periphery of said plate into a plurality of circumferentially spaced deflector vanes 256. As is bestseen inFIGS. 9 and 10, the vanes 256 are bent downwardly away from the valve seat 230 in the same manner as the teeth 154 of the deflector plate 128.

Referring to FIG. 10, the struts 198 have streamlined cross-sections, in that-the opposite sides 258 thereof are arcuate. The struts 198 thus offer a minimum resistance to fluid flow, and hence cause minimum deflection of water flowing from the sprinkler head. The ring 176 and the flange 172 have confronting arcuate grooves 260v and 261, respectively; FIG. 8, for receiving a locking pin 262, which prevents inadvertent disconnection thereof.

The operation of the sprinkler head of FIGS. 7 to 11 is similar to that of the sprinkler head 2 of FIGS. 1 to 5. Initially, the control chamber 202 is filled ,withcperating fluid through the conduit 268,.whereupon the piston 216 is moved to a sprinkler CLOSED position, with'the conical piston head portion 246 in engagement with'the valve seat 2319. The conical portion246" will typically be tapered to have an included angle F of about 60 degrees. The inlet 180 will be supplied with water fromthe supply line 8.

When it is desired to operate the sprinkler head 158, pressure within the control chamber 202 is relieved, whereupon water pressure in the inlet 18!} acts to move the piston 216 to a sprinkler OPEN position, indicated by dot-and-dash lines in FIG. 9. Water will then flow from the inlet 189, through the valve seat 23%, and will impinge upon the deflector assembly 242. The conical piston head 246 will cooperate with the deflector plate 244 to insure even lateral distribution of the water over the area to be controlled, which water will be dispensed outwardly through exit means or outlet openings 264, between the struts 138 and the adapter 166 and body 230.

The sprinkler head 158 has a bleed valve arrangement 266 for bleeding air from the control chamber 292. The piston 216 has an axial blind bore 268 extending upwardly from the lower end face 27 thereof, and communicates with the control chamber 202. The reduced piston portion 222 has a transverse bore 272, terminating at its outer end in a threaded counterbore 274, and a port 276 connects the bore 274 with the blind bore 268. A frusto-conical valve seat 278 extends between the bore 274 and port 276, and a ball valve 280' is received in the bore 272 and is engageable with said valve seat.

The piston portion 222 has a transverse bleed port 282, FIG. 10, which extends perpendicularly to and connects with the inner end of the threaded counterbore 274. An Allen screw 284 is threaded in the counterbore 274, and can be manipulated to either seat the ball 28%) on the valve seat 278, or to provide space for axial movement of said ball to allow the bleed valve assembly to open. The operation of the bleed valve 266 is similar to that of the bleed valve 109, and hence will not be described further.

A further embodiment of the sprinkler head is shown at 286 in FIGS. 12 to 16, and is connected by a nipple 288 to the stem of a pipe-T 2% which, like the pipe-Ts 6 and 160, is connected in a water supply line 8.

The sprinkler head 236 includes a housing 292, comprising an adapter 294, and a body portion 296, which is connected to the adapter 294 by a plurality of struts 293.

The adapter 294 includes a generally cylindrical boss 3% having a tapered thread 362 on the exterior thereof, and has an axial inlet opening 304, the upper edge of the wall defining said inlet being rounded at 3%. The nipple 288 has a flange 3% near the lower end thereof,

and also has a depending frusto-conical flange 31b. A

gasket 312 is interposed between the flange 398 and the upper end face 314 of the boss 330, and a thinrble 316 having a flange 318 is threaded on the boss 300, and engages the flange 368 to secure the nipple 288 to the sprinkler head 28:).

' The adapter 294 further comprises a rectangular flange 320, which is provided near each of its corners with an opening 322. The openings 322 are best seen in FIGS. 14 and 16, and include a counterbore 324 at the upper end thereof.

The struts 298 are formed integrally at the lower ends thereof with a central, generally cylindrical web 326, and extend upwardly toward the flange 320. Each strut 298 terminates at its upper end in a cylindrical stud 328, which is offset from the center of the strut, and which extends through an opening 322. The upper end of the studs 328 has a frusto-conical recess 33% therein to enable the same to be peened outwardly, and protrudes into the region defined by the counterbore 324. The counterbore 324 and the recesses 330 are filled with suitable solder 332 to secure the struts 298 to the adapter 294.

The body portion 2% terminates at its upper end in a frusto-conical portion 334-. The web 32d and the struts 298 are shaped to form a frusto-conical recess 336 for receiving the frusto-conical end portion 334, and the latter is secured within said recess by suitable solder 333. The web 326 and the body portion 296 have aligned openings 340 and 342, respectively, of identical diameter, and these are aligned with the inlet 304.

The body portion 296 also has a bore 344, which defines a control chamber 346 and terminates at the lower end of the said body portion in a counterbore 348. Received within the control chamber 346 is a piston 350 carried by a piston rod 352, which extends upwardly through the openings 340 and 342 toward the adapter 294. The piston 350 has a groove 356 within which is received a resilient O-ring 358. A plate 360 is fastened to the piston 352 by a screw 362, and secures the O-ring 338 in position.

The piston 350 is retained in the chamber 346 by a bushing 364, which is received in the counterbore 348, and has a threaded bore 366 for receiving the threaded end of a pressure fluid supply conduit 368. The bushing 364 is secured within the counterbore 348 by a snap ring 37%, which engages in a groove 372 in the body portion 296, and an O-ring 374 is seated in a groove 376 in the exterior of said bushing 364 to seal the space between the bushing and the wall of the counterbore 348.

The lower face 378 of the adapter 294 has a first counterbore 38b surrounding the lower end of the inlet 384, and a second, enlarged counterbore 382 below the first counterbcre. Within the counterbore 382 is a valve seat 384, identical to the valve seat 230 and including a seal 386 positioned to confront the head portion 333 of the piston assembly.

The head portion 388 has a conical tip 390, from which a cylindrical stud 392 extends downwardly. The stud 392 includes a cylindrical portion 394, and a re duced, threaded portion 396 that is received in a threaded bore 3% in the upper end of the piston rod 352. Also mounted on the upper end of the pistonrod 352 is a deflector plate 408.

The deflector plate 490 is circular, and has a central opening 462, through which the cylindrical portion 394 of the stud 392 passes. The periphery of the plate 400 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots 404 therein, which define deflector vanes 406 that are bent downwardly, like the vanes 256.

The piston 359 is movable between a sprinkler CLOSED position, shown by full lines in FIG. 14, and a sprinkler OPEN position, indicated by dot-and-dash lines. When the piston 350 is in the latter position, water can flow through the inlet 304, the valve seat 334, and outwardly through outlet openings 4498 between the struts 298, the web 326, and the adapter 294 and body portions 2%.

The struts 298, as is best shown in FIG. 15, are streamlined in cross-section and include arcuate side surfaces 410; thus, like the struts 198, they offer a minimum of resistance to the flow of water passing thereover. The operation of the sprinkler head 286, as will be readily appreciated, is substantially identical to the operation of the sprinkler head 158, and hence will not be described in detail.

It will be clear from the foregoing that sprinkler head means has been provided which includes a flow-controlling piston mem-ber controlled by hydraulic pressure, and which will remain in a sprinkler CLOSED position except when distribution of water is desired. The sprinkler head means also includes deflector elements constructed to provide optimum distribution of the water; is relatively simple in operation and construction; and incorporates but one moving part, the piston, whereby a high degree of reliability is assured.

In the embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, 6 and 7 to 11, the sprinkler head has a novel bleed valve arrangement for bleeding air from the fluid control system so that the sprinkler head is rendered suitable for use even under conditions of severe vibration, line surge and shock. The embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 5 and 6 include nozzle arrangements which accelerate exiting Water as it leaves the main body 14, and before it impinges on the deflector plate 128 to insure the proper aeoaoaa 11 atomization and distribution of the water to meet different requirements,

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in the light of the above teachrngs. scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically'illustrated and described.

We claim:

1. A sprinkler head, comprising: body means having a fluid inlet and a valve seat aligned with the said inlet, said body means having an exit for said fluid and also having a control chamber, said control chamber having a passage for connection to a source of pressurized operatingv fluid; flow-controlling piston means partially received within said control chamber and being movable in response to operating fluid pressure within said con trol chamber from a sprinkler OPEN position spaced from said valve seat,to a sprinkler CLOSED position in which a portion of said piston means is in sealing engagementwithsaid valve seatyand a deflector positioned at said exit and-disposed to havefiuid impinge thereon whensaid piston means is in its sprinkler OPEN position.

2. A sprinkler head, as recited in claim 1, including additionally: a bleed valve mounted on one of said means and being in communication with the control chamber, and being operable for bleeding air from said control chamber.

3. A sprinkler head, as recited in claim 1, wherein the portion of the flow-controlling piston means that engages the seat, is conical.

4. A sprinkler head, as, recited in claim 1, wherein the deflector includes a deflector plate, and wherein said deflectorplate is mountedbetween the valve seat and the portion of the piston is received within the control chamber.

5. A sprinkler head, as recited .in claim 1, wherein said deflector is connected to and moves with the piston means.

6 A sprinkler head, comprising: body means having a fluid inlet anda valve seat aligned with said inlet, said body means having an outlet for said fluid and also having a control chamber, said control chamber having a passage for connection to a source of pressurized operating fluid; flow-controlling piston means partially received within said control chamber and arranged to be moved in response to operating fluid pressure within;

said chamber from a sprinkler OPEN. position spaced from said valve seat, to-a sprinkler CLOSED position in sealing engagement with said valve seat; and a deflector plate positioned exteriorly'of said body means at said outlet and arranged to have fluid impinge thereon when said piston means is in its sprinkler OPEN position.

7. A sprinkler head as recited in claim 6, including ad- It is therefore to be understood that, within the ditionallyz. nozzle means associated with the outlet, and

arranged to increase the velocity of fluid flowing therethrough toward the deflector plate.

8. A sprinkler head, comprising: a body having a water inlet passage, and having water outlet meansspaced from a discharge end of said inlet passage; a valve seat on said body surrounding said discharge end of said inlet passage; means in said body defining a control chamher, said control chamber confronting said valve seat and having a passage for connection to, a source of pressurized operating fluid; a piston partially received within said controlchamber including a head portion engageable withsaid valve seat to close said inlet passage, said piston being movablein response to operating fluid pres sure within said control chamber from a sprinkler OPEN position, in which said head portion is spaced from said valve seat, to a sprinkler CLOSED'position in engagement with said valve seat; and deflector means including a deflector plate arranged in the path of water flow so that when said piston is in a sprinkler OPEN position, the water will impinge thereon.

9. A sprinkler head as recited in claim 8, wherein the body includes a hollow outer portion in communication at one end thereof with the inlet passage and said valve seat,'and whereinthe outlet is positioned at the other end thereof, and wherein an inner body is supported concentrically within said outer body portion in spaced relation to said valve seat. and arranged to define withsaid outer body a water flow space between said valve seat and said outlet, and wherein said inner body, contains said control chamber.

19. A sprinkler head as recited in claim 9, wherein the body has bleed valve means in communication with said control chamber operable to bleed air therefrom.

11. A sprinkler head as recited in claim 9, wherein the deflector plate is carried by the inner body. and is positioned exteriorly of=said body and confronts the outlet.

12. A sprinkler head as recited in claim 11, wherein the deflector plate is supported by means projecting from' the inner body, and through the outlet, and wherein said supporting means, together with said outlet, defines a nozzle arranged to increase the flowrate of water through said outlet.

13.. A sprinkler head as recited in claim. 8, wherein the body further includes: a first portioncontaining the inlet passage and the valve seat; a second portion spaced from said first portion and containing the control chamber; and wherein a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially extending struts extend between and connect said first portion with said second portion, and wherein the outlet comprises a plurality of openings defined atleast partially by saidstruts.

14. A=sprinkler head as recited in claim 13, wherein the deflector piate is mounted on the piston beneath the valve seat-engaging head portion, and is disposed between .the first and second body portions.

15. A sprinkler head, comprising: a first body portion, including an inlet; a valve seat on said first body portion surrounding said inlet; a second body portion extending axially from said first body portion and including a hollow outer body terminating at the end thereof remote from said valve seat in arcylind-ricaloutlet throat; an innerbody supported within said outer body and spaced therefrom and. from said valve seat to define a flow passage from said valve seat to said outlet throat, said inner;

body containing a control chamber positioned :to confront said valve seat, said control chamber being connectable with a source of pressurized operating-fluid;

sponse to operating fluid pressure within saidcontrol chamber, from a sprinkler OPEN position, in which said head portion is spaced fromsaid valve. seat, to 'a sprinkler CLOSED positionin engagement with said valve seat; a deflector plate; and means projecting from said inner body through and beyond said outlet throat and maintaining said deflector plate in axially spaced confronting relation to said outlet throat.

16. A sprinkler head as recited in claim 15, wherein the deflector plate is circular and includes a frusto-conical marginal portion having a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots therein, the inner ends of said slots lying on a common circle on said deflector plate, andwherein the deflector plate supporting means includes an elongated element having at least one frusto-conical surface which, together with the outlet-throat, defines a nozzle wardly and outwardly tapering portion which extends from said cylindrical, portion to said deflector plate.

18. A sprinkler head as recited in claim 17, wherein the diameter of the lower end of said frustoconical portion of said elongated element is approximately equal to the diameter of the common circle on which the inner end of said slots lie.

19. A sprinkler head as recited in claim 15, including bleed valve means comprising a boss interconnecting the inner body and the second body and having a bore therein opening exteriorly of said second body, the inner end of said bore terminating in a bleed valve seat, said inner body having a port connecting said control chamber with said bleed valve seat, and said boss and said second body having a bleed port extending from the inner end of said bore to the atmosphere; a valve member received Within said bore in said boss, and being engageable with 15 said bleed valve seat to close said port in said inner body; and means received in the outer end of said boss bore and being operable to sealingly engage said valve 14 member with said bleed valve seat to close said port in said inner body.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 351,267 10/1886 Kane 169-40 1,491,301 4/1924 Grafffin 169-20 1,688,827 10/1928 Nelson 239-524 X 1,800,545 4/ 1931 Larner 169-20 1,900,632 3/1933 Boardman 169-20 3,160,212 12/1964 Reid 169-20 3,178,119 4/1965 Thorson 239-498 X M. HENSON WOOD, IR., Primary Examiner. ROBERTB. REEVES, Examiner.

V. C. WILKS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SPRINKLER HEAD, COMPRISING: BODY MEANS HAVING A FLUID INLET AND A VALVE SEAT ALIGNED WITH THE SAID INLET, SAID BODY MEANS HAVING AN EXIT FOR SAID FLUID AND ALSO HAVING A CONTROL CHAMBER, SAID CONTROL CHAMBER HAVING A PASSAGE FOR CONNECTION TO A SOURCE OF PRESSURIZED OPERATING FLUID; FLOW-CONTROLLING PISTON MEANS PARTIALLY RECEIVED WITHIN SAID CONTROL CHAMBER AND BEING MOVABLE IN RESPONSE TO OPERATING FLUID PRESSURE WITHIN SAID CONTROL CHAMBER FROM A SPRINKLER "OPEN" POSITION SPACED FROM SAID VALVE SEAT, TO A SPRINKLER "CLOSED" POSITION IN WHICH A PORTION OF SAID PISTON MEANS IS IN SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID VALVE SEAT; AND A DEFLECTOR POSITIONED 